Without hesitation, Simone puckered and planted a kiss right on the girl’s lips.

The show of affection reminded me of an old married couple who don’t part ways until they have kissed each other. And so it was, that day at the preschool, beneath the shade tree and in plain view for all to see, I witnessed a smooch I’ll never forget.

I laughed out loud, as did a group of preschool teachers – black and white – who had been watching from a picnic table.

Neither my color nor Simone’s mattered that day. Simone was simply a friend who needed a proper good-bye – and she got it.